- Maddy Rogers
Throughout the country, high school juniors take a multiple choice, pencil-and-paper test, administered by the College Board. This is known as the SAT.
“The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions”, says The Princeton Review.
On the test itself, there are two sections, Evidence-Based Reading/Writing, and Math. A student can earn between 200 and 800 points on each section, totalling a maximum score of 1600. What score you get can not only help colleges make decisions on whether or not to accept you, but it can also help you measure how ready you actually are for college, which can be one of the scariest parts about taking the SAT.
“What makes me most nervous about taking the SAT is that my score determines what college will accept me, what scholarships I get, and more,” says Libby Mckenzie ‘19. “I also can’t study exactly what’s on it like most tests,” said Mckenzie.
But like most tests that are taken by students, the SAT is accomplishable, and there are even some tips and tricks to getting a better score.
“These will be the longest hours of your life, but push through! The outcome is always worth it,” says Courtney Belcher ‘18.
Teacher Samantha Newell also has a few tips on how to prepare for the SAT.
“Get some rest, buff up on your math and english skills, eat a good breakfast, watch out for trick questions and read everything carefully,” said Newell.
For the most part, SAT related anxiety is all in your head.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, not at all,” said Mckenzie, who now has taken the SAT herself. “As for advice, I would say use Khan Academy to practice and don’t procrastinate; start studying in the fall.”
Overall, the best way to do well on the SAT is study and trust yourself. You have worked hard to achieve all that you have so far. You can do this!